(1) Subject to sub-section (2),—
(a) in conciliation proceedings with one conciliator, the parties may agree on the name of a sole conciliator;
(b) in conciliation proceedings with two conciliators, each party may appoint one conciliator;
(c) in conciliation proceedings with three conciliators, each party may appoint one conciliator and the parties may agree on the name of the third conciliator who shall act as the presiding conciliator.
(2) The parties may enlist the assistance of a suitable institution or person in connection with the appointment of conciliators, and in particular,—
(a) a party may request such an institution or person to recommend the names of suitable individuals to act as conciliator; or
(b) the parties may agree that the appointment of one or more conciliators be made directly by such an institution or person:
Provided that in recommending or appointing individuals to act as conciliator, the institution or person shall have regard to such considerations as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial conciliator and, with respect to a sole or presiding conciliator, shall take into account the advisability of appointing a conciliator of a nationality other than the nationalities of the parties.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 64
Section 64 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 governs the appointment of conciliators, regulating party nominations, institutional appointments, and qualifications.
In multi-tier contract clauses, designate an established dispute resolution institution (e.g., IIAM, MCIA) under Section 64(2) to nominate the conciliator if parties cannot agree within 15 days.